A/N: Alright, again guys thank you for the support, I really REALLY appreciate it, you guys keep me going because then I know you fine people are entertained. (Does that sound douchy? Sorry.) This is, again, another lighthearted chapter filled with some cute parts and funny parts, enjoy!

Chapter 4: Sibling

Over the three weeks that have passed, Annie has noticed Eren improve substantially in the areas of movement and form. He moves more quickly and fluidly than before, maneuvering out of the way from half of the attacks that Annie throws at him, both while inside and outside of his armor. She also began to teach him the art of defense, blocking, disarming, and counters. She told him they will move on to offense after he proves he can can effectively counter her attacks.

Eren woke up that day hoping today would be the day where he would show Annie that he is experienced enough in defense to move on to offense. He got out of bed and put on his clothes and arming doublet, the key still tied around his neck. After the first week, Annie told him to not bring his armor; she will provide the armor for him.

He walked down the steps to the first floor, stopping immediately at the bottom as Mikasa stood in front of him, her face giving nothing away. She was dressed in her blue dress with long sleeves, he remembered being told that it was her favorite. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, as if she was ready for combat.

Eren glanced from side to side, his eyes settling on Mikasa's. They stood there, staring at each other, the air around them getting awkward. He finally decided to speak up, "Uh...good morning?"

Mikasa's eyes narrowed. She spun around, her dress twirling with her, and walked towards the table, sitting on one end, she nodded her head to the other side. Eren cocked an eyebrow, but followed his sister's instructions, sitting opposite of her.

Mikasa tapped on the wood of the table with her nails, creating a melody that could be found pleasant, if the one doing it wasn't glaring at you. This wasn't just any glare. This was a Mikasa glare. One of the worst kinds. It is the kind of glare that make soldiers retreat in fear, the kind that scared bullies away from siblings. The kind that is making Eren uneasy right now.

Eventually she supported her head with her right hand, turning her head to look out the window at the town their very house belongs to. She sighed and turned her head back to Eren, "I noticed over the last few weeks you have been traveling to the forest early in the morning every morning."

Eren's eyes widened slightly, but he regained the state of his expressions shortly afterwards. But Mikasa caught that, "Eren, please, I am your sister, do not lie to me."

Eren nodded, "I would never lie to you, Mika. I am just practicing out there."

Mikasa raised an eyebrow, "Practicing?"

"Yeah, yeah, remember Levi said to start practicing outside of lessons? I decided to do it in the forest, it's a tranquil place."

Mikasa looked down, nodding her head, "Okay, I understand. That makes sense. Go on ahead, but remember to eat before you go."

Eren smiled and nodded, "Of course."

After Eren finished his food, he got up and walked to the door. Before he opened it, he

grabbed a tall bag and looked back at Mikasa, who gave him a smile. He smiled back and opened the door, walking outside, he closed it behind him.

After he closed the door, Mikasa's smile disappeared. She got up and walked up to the window, watching as he began to walk towards the forest. She spun around and pulled off her dress, revealing her leather armor underneath. She walked to the door, opened it, and closed it behind herself. She turned back to the forest to see Eren entering it. She followed him, trying her best to not be seen by her brother.

Eventually she stopped and hid behind one of the trees, watching as Eren entered a wide area with a big tree in the center. A cloaked figure leaned against the tree, pushing off of it and walking up to Eren. It was a small figure, at least by six inches. The person reached up and threw off their cowl, showing the face of a young woman. Mikasa waited and listened, eyes fixed on the girl.

Eren emerged from the forest into the wide open area Annie showed him a few weeks ago. He saw the girl leaning against the tree, looking mysterious. He smirked and walked over, one hand stuck in his pocket, the other holding the bag of training swords over his shoulder. When he got close, Annie pushed herself off of the tree and walked the rest of the way. She reached up and pulled her cowl down, meeting Eren's emeralds with her sapphires. Her eyes gave the expressions her face lacks.

Annie glanced down at the bag he carried, "Got the training swords?"

Eren reached in and pulled out two wooden swords, "Yeah, sorry, got kinda held up by my sister."

Annie took both swords and leaned them against the tree, "Don't worry about it. Before we start, I wanted to ask...the key, why do you wear it?"

Eren looked down at the key around his neck, "Oh, this? A few weeks ago, my father left it for me and told me to 'Open the door when it is time'."

"When do you think that time is?" She asked, reaching into her bag, she took out the pieces of armor. She walked over and began to fasten them to his body.

Eren stood there, unmoving so as to not interfere with Annie's fastening, "I do not know...but he trusts that I will know when that time has come."

Annie nodded, fastening the harness for the chest plates, "Do you think you will know?"

Eren slightly shrugged, "I cannot say, but I hope I will."

Annie bent down to fasten the parts for the legs, "Well, whatever you find, it better be amazing."

"Yeah…"

Annie stood up, looking him up and down, "Okay, you're ready." She said, walking over to the swords, she grabbed one and tossed it to him, grabbing one for herself. They squared off in a clear area, "Remember what I taught you."

"Of course."

"Okay." She bent her legs and her back slightly, shifting her weight from one side to the other constantly, staying on her toes, like a cat.

Eren bent his legs one in front of the other. They both kept their swords pointed at each other. Their eyes locked together, unblinking.

Annie raised her sword to attack, Eren was about to block when a figure came out of the brush and a familiar voice shouted.

"Eren!? Who is this?"

Eren's eyes widened as he turned his head to see his sister walking towards them, dressed in her leather armor. She had both hands on her hips, which she almost never does. This is bad, Eren thought, noting the positions of her hands.

Before Eren could say anything, a huge thunk echoed throughout the area as Eren dropped to the floor, clutching his head, "Annie!"

Annie looked at Eren, then at Mikasa, "Remember Eren, don't let anything distract you, even if it's your...girlfriend confronting us." She said, hesitating to say the word, as on the inside, she wished it wasn't true.

Mikasa's head snapped to Annie, staring daggers into her, "Girlfriend? No, I am his sister!"

They could both hear Annie give a faint sigh of relief.

Eren pushed himself up to his knees, "Well it's not like it's obvious, Mika!"
Mikasa walked over and helped Eren to his feet, but he pushed away, "I'm fine. I'm fine. It's not the first time I have been hit on the head."

Mikasa looked back at Annie, "Again, who is this?"

Annie took a step towards her, "The name is Annie Leonhardt, I am training your brother here."

Mikasa narrowed her eyes at Annie, then at Eren, "So you were half-lying?"

Eren smiled, shrugging, "Yeah...I guess."

Annie raised an eyebrow, "Your brother shows great potential."

"Shutup." Mikasa snapped.

Eren put his hands on Mikasa's shoulders, who tried to wiggle them off, but he held firm, "Mikasa, calm down. I wanted this. Levi is too...demanding." He looked into her eyes. Her features softened. Eren continued, "Just please...don't tell anyone about this."

Mikasa's eyes switched between Eren and Annie, her face concealing her internal processions. She was carefully thinking of this situation.

After a moment of silence, Eren repeated, "Please?"

Eventually she nodded, "Okay, Eren, I will trust you with this one. But you." She said, pointing to Annie, "You and I should fight, I wanna see if you're worth his time."

Annie shook her head, "Not today, how does next week sound?"

Mikasa crossed her arms, looked down, and scrunched her mouth to one side in thought. Instantly her head snapped up, "I can't, I have plans to be with my suitor."

Annie's face turned from bored to slightly amused and bored, "Your suitor, eh? Jean, right? The...uh…" She turned to Eren, "What did you call him?"

Eren's eyes widened, his head slowly shaking, "Annie...no…"

Annie pointed a finger at Mikasa, "Ahhh yes...a horse-faced loud-mouthed asshole idiot."

Eren slowly spun around to face his sister, an expression of utter horror plastered on his face, but he tried to keep a smile. Mikasa was giving him the look. That look. The one that scares away the mythical monsters in folk tales. The one that makes Levi The Great himself cower to his knees. The one that could literally kill someone. She was giving him that look.

This look literally froze Eren in the spot. Mikasa walked over, her steps sounding like that of a giant's. Her hands curled around the dull wooden blade of the training sword Eren held in his hand, pulling it from his grasp. He didn't stop her as she raised it behind her head and swung it at his face, smacking him to the ground. Eren stayed on the ground, his head pounding from the second piece of wood that hit the side of his head.

Two heads blocked his view of the forest ceiling. An angel and a demon, in appearance. Eren closed his eyes as he heard one of them speak, "That was a good swing."

"Thanks, I try my best."

"Though you, Jaeger, you need to learn to duck. Maybe we should hold off on learning how to go on the offensive."

Eren's eyes shot open, "No!" He jumped to his feet, "No, no-" He felt a flash of pain wash over the side of his head. He raised a hand up to it,"Owww."

"Then we should continue, I mean, if the sibling wills it so?" Annie said, slightly turning her head to Mikasa and raising her eyebrows.

Mikasa slowly nodded, holding the training sword out to Eren, who took it.

"Do you want to stay and watch?" He asked.

Mikasa looked at Eren then at Annie, who gave a faint smile and nodded. She turned and walked to a small rock, and sat on it, crossing one leg over the other, "Go ahead."

Eren looked back to Annie and nodded, "Okay, let's dance."

Annie smirked, "Gladly."

She lunged forward, coming in with an overhead attack. Eren raised his sword above his head high, meeting her sword with his, a loud thunkechoing through the area.

Annie stepped back, bringing her sword back to position. Eren did the same.

She lunged again, slicing for his legs. He blocked.

Left arm.

Block.

Head.

Block.

She feinted, going for his left leg then his right arm. She almost got him as he went to block his leg but quickly snapped his hand up to block her attack.

Thrust.

Jump back.

Slice for neck.

Duck under.

She dropped down to sweep kick his leg. He hopped, missing her feet, and landed successfully.

Side.

Block.

Thrust.

Eren stepped to the side and lunged for her wrist, grabbing it. He pulled her close to him, their chests touched. Annie could feel Eren's breath blowing against her hair. She slowly looked up at him. Her sapphires met his emeralds. Their eyes locked. He could feel her breath come up to meet his as their lips almost touched

It was then she felt it. A wooden edge against her neck. She glanced down to see his wooden sword brushing against her throat. Eren's face wasn't showing any signs of gloating, only waiting for her acceptance.

She raised her hand and placed it on his chest. She could feel his beating heart against her palm. She gently pushed herself away from Eren, taking a few steps away from him so that she can regain her breath.

Eren stood there, shuffling awkwardly, he raised an eyebrow at her, "Annie?"

Annie's head snapped up to him, "Uh...I'm fine. You did...g-good. We will move on to offensive, uhm...tomorrow."

Eren's mouth turned up in a smile, "Really?"

Annie nodded, "Y-yeah. Lesson over, let me get that armor off of you."

Eren cocked an eyebrow, "Over? Don't you think it's too early?"

Annie walked over, starting to get the armor off with shaking fingers, "Maybe a bit. Think of it as a break for all the...all the hard work you have done."

Eren gave her a worried look, "Annie, are you okay?"

Annie nodded, "Yes, yeah, I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

Eren grabbed her wrist gently and pulled it up into her sight, showing her fingers moving uncontrollably, "You're fumbling."

Annie's eyes focused on her hand, her eyes wide and confused.

She blinked and pulled her hand back, quickly going back to unfastening his armor, "I told you...I'm fine."

Annie suddenly felt a hand tap her shoulder. She turned around to see Mikasa behind her, a faint worried look on her face as well, "Annie, go sit down. I can handle this."

Annie looked back at Eren, who nodded. She let go of him, walking over to the big tree and sitting down, her hands landing in her lap, she looked down at them.

Eren looked at Mikasa, who shook her head and mouthed, "We will talk later."

After Mikasa got all of the armor off of Eren, Annie took it all and packed up. Before she left, she turned to Eren, "See you tomorrow." She said, not so shaken anymore.

Eren gave her a smile, "See you tomorrow, Annie."

Annie nodded and quickly ran into the brush without another word.

Mikasa tapped Eren on the shoulder, gesturing towards town, "Let's get home." She said before walking in the direction of Shiganshima. Eren picked up the practice swords and followed behind her.

It wasn't until they were far from the practice area that Mikasa spoke up, "She is a...peculiar girl."

Eren looked at Mikasa, stepping over a fallen log, "She is weird, but she is fair...and nice."

"...and beautiful."

"What?"

"I saw the way you looked at her, and the way she looks at you. It's obvious you both like each other, neither of you just want to admit it."

"Wait…"

"Just tell me Eren. Do you like her? I would completely understand. In fact, it's about time you found someone. Someone who fights like you, someone you enjoy beating the shit outta you, someone that will help you. Someone who will make you happy. So tell me. Do you like her?"

Eren was speechless, he couldn't find the right words to say as they both stepped on stones to get to the other side of the small river. He began to think. Did he like her? He ran through his mind all of the parts of her that he liked and disliked. And one outweighed the other.

"I do." He answered.

They exited the forest, seeing the town in the distance. Eren wondered if Annie was thinking about the same thing they were talking about as she saw her town in the distance.

Mikasa stopped and turned to him, her grey eyes reflecting the sun, "Then tell her."

A/N: If you liked what you saw, please don't be afraid to leave a comment, maybe some criticism (just as long as the criticism isn't "hurr dum lol" or anything like that, it will be fine, basically make sure all criticism is respectful. I do learn but I need to learn my mistakes, not the way you like to text.)
Anyway, I digress, again, thank you guys for reading, it's very important to me that you enjoy it because I do want to become a writer and this is great practice.
Also, Mina comes in the next chapter, I don't know if I made her too cute or too crazy.